(Bluefield)—Tom Cook, Bluefield State College Associate Dean/Interim Chief Technology Officer at Bluefield State College, has been appointed to membership on the Advisory Board of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) to serve on the development of a statewide portal of online classes and programs. The initiative, West Virginia Remote Online Course Knowledge System (WVROCKS).

The WVROCKS Advisory Board will provide direction to HEPC staff in developing the online portal. The availability of courses made possible through this portal will enable West Virginia citizens who have previously completed some college classes to go forward and complete their Regents Bachelor of Arts degree. "Advisory Board members will have an opportunity to shape the direction of online learning for citizens of West Virginia and potential students for their campuses," observed Dr. Roxann Humbert, Statewide Director of Higher Education Distance Learning.

"I'm excited to be part of this initiative that will increase course access and availability to adults," Cook said. "There's a tremendous need in this area and I'm honored to be part of the team that will assist in the planning and implementation. I believe this service will grow to become a valuable asset to BSC's existing RBA program."